Plastic deck board with separated drainage channel and hold down surface

Abstract

The present invention provides a plastic panel assembly such as a plastic deck formed by at least first and second plastic boards. These boards are secured at an interlocked joint of the boards. Both of the boards have the same construction with each board comprising a main body portion having first and second edge regions to opposite sides of the board. The first edge region has a top surface which is a continuation of the top surface of the main body portion of the board. The first edge region also has a first locking part. The second edge region has a bottom surface which is a continuation of the bottom surface of the main body portion of the board and also has a second locking part. The interlocked joint between the boards is formed by engagement of the first locking part of the first edge region of the first board with the second locking part of the second edge region of the second board. The assembly further includes both a moisture drainage channel and a mechanical fastener receiving surface which are separated from one another at the interlocked joint. At least one of the locking parts is provided with a sealing strip to seal the interlocked joint and reduce friction on abutting surfaces.

1 . A plastic panel assembly formed by at least first and second plastic boards secured at an interlocked joint of said first and second boards, each of said boards having a construction comprising a main body portion with a top surface, a bottom surface, a first edge region and a second edge region, said first edge region having a top surface which is a continuation of the top surface of the main body portion and also having a first locking part, said second edge region having a bottom surface which is a continuation of the bottom surface of the main body portion and also having a second locking part, said interlocked joint being formed by engagement of said first locking part of said first edge region of the first board with said second locking part of said second edge region of said second board, said assembly including both a moisture drainage channel and a mechanical fastener receiving surface which are separated from one another at said interlocked joint, at least one of said first and second interlocking parts being provided with a co-extruded sealing strip at the area of engagement with the other of said first and second locking part.  
   
   
       2 . A plastic panel assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said moisture drainage channel has a channel base wall which is formed by said bottom surface of said second edge region of said second board.  
   
   
       3 . A plastic panel assembly as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said second locking part of said second edge region comprises an upward projection from said bottom surface of said second edge region said upward projection being provided with a sealing strip, said fastener receiving surface also being formed by said bottom surface of said second edge region, said channel base and said fastener receiving surface being separated from one another by said upward projection.  
   
   
       4 . A plastic panel assembly as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said first locking part of said first edge region includes a recessed region which faces downwardly at and receives said upward projection of said second edge region.  
   
   
       5 . A plastic panel assembly as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said recessed region has a concave shape and wherein said upward projection has a convex shape, said moisture drainage channel including a channel mouth above said upward projection, said first edge region including a laterally extending head portion which penetrates through said channel mouth and which rocks upwardly into a moisture blocking position within said moisture drainage channel as said recessed region of said first locking part of first edge region is interlocked with said upward projection of said second locking part of said second edge region.  
   
   
       6 . A plastic panel assembly as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said channel has a channel roof and said laterally extending head locks with said channel roof.  
   
   
       7 . A plastic panel assembly as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said fastener receiver surface comprises a projecting fin having openings therethrough at regular spaced intervals along said fin.  
   
   
       8 . A plastic panel assembly as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said openings in said fin have an elongated oval shape.  
   
   
       9 . A plastic panel assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said co-extruded sealing strip is of a flexible rubber.  
   
   
       10 . A plastic panel assembly as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said co-extruded sealing strip is a dual durometer rubber with the than rubber adjacent the interlocking part on to which the sealing strip is co-extruded.